Northeast Anthony Henday closer to completion

The Edmonton ring road continues to take shape to improve commuting and market access in the Capital Region.

A busy construction season for Northeast Anthony Henday Drive paves the way for fall 2014 when motorists will have access to a new interchange, new pavement and two new bridges.

Over the next three years, Budget 2014 is investing $878 million into this project – ­the single largest highway construction project the province has undertaken to date.

“This will be one the busiest construction seasons for motorists along Northeast Anthony Henday Drive. But with that comes rewards. This fall, motorists will begin to see openings along this highway and have access to new structures like the Sherwood Drive interchange, which is opening two years ahead of schedule.”

Wayne Drysdale, Minister of Transportation

Transportation investments like the Edmonton ring road are an integral part of the Building Alberta Plan and will create better market access and easier commutes for Albertans.

By Fall 2014

Crews will work an estimated 1.4 million hours this construction season to achieve major new openings this year, weather permitting, including:

the Sherwood Drive interchange will be open and provide all-direction access to Yellowhead Trail;

two-way traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed northbound lanes between Yellowhead Trail and the Sherwood Park Freeway interchange so crews can work on reconstructing the southbound lanes;

18th Street will open this summer as the 167 Avenue and Fort Road intersection is closed permanently.

Using Alberta’s P3 model for highways allows Northeast Anthony Henday Drive to be finished in 2016, three years earlier than through conventional delivery and at a savings of $370 million for taxpayers.

The Government of Alberta has committed more than $4 billion toward the construction of the Edmonton Ring Road, including the northeast section, a $1.81 billion investment which includes $37 million in federal funding and is scheduled to open in 2016.

The Government of Alberta signed a 34-year contract with the Capital City Link General Partnership to design, build, finance, and operate Anthony Henday Drive from Manning Freeway to Whitemud Drive, and Yellowhead Trail from the North Saskatchewan River to east of Sherwood Drive.

This project is one of many that deliver on the Building Alberta commitment to support the economy and increase market access by focusing on projects for core infrastructure and key corridors.

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.